Ok, I cannot be the only one who is SUPER excited about this. If ever a group deserved a second chance, it’s this one. It is my hope that after five years apart, the ladies have gained the maturity and perspective they need to make it work this time around. For those who don’t remember, two members of the original group were former NBA dancers: Shannon Bex (Trailblazers) and Dawn Richard (Hornets). Rounding out the group are Aubrey O’Day, and Aundrea Fimbress, who never danced for pro sports teams, but if you ask me, Aundrea bears a striking resemblance to New England Patriots Cheerleader Jodi Ricci.

Take a good look around… A lot of sweet memories were made here… A lot of heart pounding practices took place just to make the team. This weekend marks the end of an era. The Honey Bees’ last home stand.

“I’ve been on this team six wonderful seasons with the Hornets, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, all the hard work all the tears, it’s been so much fun. I never really dreamed of being a professional dancer but now that I am and I’ve done it six years with my home team, it’s very special and a lot of people think it’s pretty cool” says team veteran Christina.

So go ahead, take it all in… every pom wave, hip shake and glorious hair flip…

Who else hits the court with such charisma the crowds rise even if the team is down? It’s what these ladies do best and they love what they do.

So here’s to you Honey Bees…. Thanks for the great flight!

And next year, with the new name, we’ll still love you.

“I know my personal favorite is the Fly Girls but there’s a lot of strange names, the “Pelican-cans”… I don’t know about that” says Christina.

But just the thought of no more honey bees carries a bittersweet sting.

“It’s kind of sad but I think it will be a good start to something new, the colors, the name change, I’m excited ” says first year Honey Bee Cassidy.

Angela King Designs is proud to announce the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search Winner is Alexa Kobylarz of New Orleans, Louisiana!

Originally from the Jersey Shore, Alexa is a captain of the New Orleans Hornets “Honeybees” Dance Team. At the age of 21, she will soon complete her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Tulane University. Recently she was cast as a featured role in a Spike Lee film and danced onstage with Beyoncé during the Super Bowl halftime show.

AKD Founder and President Angela King-Twitero remarked about the 2013 contestants, “I am impressed beyond words. The strength of talent and intelligence, in combination with beauty, is rather amazing. The cheerleading world needs to take notice! This industry is made of high achievers! Thank you all for being role models and caring about the legacy you are creating.”

At the end of the current NBA season, the New Orleans Hornets are changing their name
to the New Orleans Pelicans.

No really. THE PELICANS.

The first time I read this information, I thought for sure this was some kind of joke. Pelicans? Aren’t team mascots supposed to be fierce, strong, and warrior-like? Pelicans???? Don’t they deliver babies to expectant mommies and daddies all around the world?

Oh wait, that’s the stork.

You know what pelicans are known for? Having big mouths. And stealing other people’s fish. But the team’s owner says pelicans symbolize the resiliency, determination, and enduring spirit of the people in the community.

Um. Ok. But they are also fish thieves.

(Well now, I guess if you’re at the business end of a pelican, that could be a little frightening…)

The team is also changing their colors from Creole Blue, Dark Purple, Mardi Gras Gold, and White (a combination I personally enjoy) to blue, gold, and red. Here’s the new logo:

He’s pretty fierce, I suppose. As far as pelicans go. He certainly looks like he wants to peck your eyes out and eat them with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

More importantly, what about the Honeybees? What are they going to be called? The Pelican Dancers? The Pelican Girls? The Pelicanettes?

For as long as Victoria Pellerin can recall, she has dreamed of being a Honeybee for the New Orleans Hornets. “The Honeybees have always been a role model for me,” said Pellerin, 20, of Montz. “I would see them at the dance school I attended, and I was always in awe of them. I remember telling people when I was very young that one day I, too, wanted to be a Honeybee for the Hornets.”Pellerin’s dream became a reality this year when she, along with two other women from the River Parishes, were chosen to perform with this year’s 23-member Honeybees team. MaQue Hollins of LaPlace and Tramera Lee of Boutte are two-year members.

The Honeybees perform choreographed dance routines to music at all of the Hornets home games. They also serve as ambassadors for the Hornets, as well as for the city of New Orleans, and they make several appearances each year at promotional and charity events.

Pellerin is a graduate of Destrehan High School, where she was a member of the Desty Darlings, the school dance team, for four years. Pellerin is a junior at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she is majoring in nursing.

Lee, 21, is a junior at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, where she is majoring in business and marketing. Lee is a graduate of Hanhnville High School. She was also a member of the Hi Steppers, the school dance team, for four years.

Tramera Lee

Hollins, 20, is majoring in public health at Xavier University in New Orleans, where she is a junior. Hollins graduated from St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace, and she was a member of the cheerleading squad.

Hollins and Lee learned the ropes last year.

“I’m more excited about being a Honeybee this year than I was last year,” Hollins said. “I want to see how much I can improve.”

Being a member of the Honeybees, Hollins said, gives her an opportunity to combine her love for dancing with being an ambassador for the city.

Now this is what I call fast. The ink is barely dry on the dancers’ contracts, and the team already has uniform photos on the Hornets website. I’m sure these will be replaced by updated photos as we get closer to the season and the team has time to do uniform fittings, polish up everyone’s look, and all that misc pre-season prep that goes on. Anywho, click here to take a gander at the 2012 New Orleans Hornets dance team!

The first will take place in Biloxi, Miss., at Beau Rivage on Thursday, July 12.

The second day of auditions will be on Saturday, July 14 at the Alario Center in Westwego, followed by the final session at Tari’s School of Dance in Baton Rouge on Sunday, July 15.

Interested candidates can audition at one of the three locations.

Application forms, details on the process and audition tips are available at www.hornets.com.

Finalists selected during the preliminary rounds will compete in the Finals on Sunday, July 22, at Generations Hall in New Orleans at 5:00 p.m.

Preliminary auditions are closed to the public, but fans are encouraged to show support for their favorite finalists at the Finals event.

“Adding two additional locations for Honeybees tryouts is something we’ve never done before, but we couldn’t be more excited about having the opportunity to work with girls from across the Gulf South,” said Honeybee manager and choreographer Ashley Deaton.

“We’re looking for girls who will bring energy, showmanship, personality and maturity to the squad, as they will have the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of fans and participate in community events locally, nationally and internationally.”

The Hornets are looking for girls at least 18 years of age who have previous dance experience and are committed to representing the Hornets organization on and off the court.

The Honeybees perform professionally-choreographed dance routines to a variety of music during home games, and make appearances at community and professional events throughout the year.

In past seasons, the Honeybees have traveled to Spain, Germany, China and the Balkans to perform and represent New Orleans and the Hornets on an international stage.

Honeybee applicants should be in top physical condition and wear appropriate dance attire for the audition, which includes a half-top that shows midriff, hot shorts or trunks (no pants), dance or athletic shoes, flesh colored tights, and performance-ready hair and make-up (no ponytails).

At registration, dancers must provide a resume that depicts any professional and dance experience, a recent 5×7 headshot, a copy of their high school diploma, valid photo identification, and a completed application form.